Tragedy at the Toy Shop (Traumatic Temp Agency 2)

By Kelly Hashway

The last thing Hailey Hart expected on her first day working at the toy shop was to find a dead body inside a giant stuffed bear. What are the odds that her second job placement through the temp agency would wind up putting her in the middle of another murder investigation?
The suspects are piling up in this case. At least this time, Hailey isn’t on the top of Detective Bilson’s list. But can she ignore her fascination with true crimes and not dig into this investigation?
Not likely. Especially since the previous murder she helped solve earned her some fame as the town’s amateur sleuth. But looking into a murder is dangerous, and if Hailey doesn’t want to become the next victim, she’s going to have to watch her back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelly Hashway
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005340308

Kelly Hashway

Kelly Hashway fully admits to being one of the most accident-prone people on the planet, but luckily she gets to write about female sleuths who are much more coordinated than she is. Maybe it was growing up watching Murder, She Wrote that instilled a love of mystery, but she spends her days writing cozy mysteries. Kelly’s also a sucker for first love, which is why she writes romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she’s not writing, Kelly works as an editor and also as Mom, which she believes is a job title that deserves to be capitalized.

Book preview

Chapter One

After my first job since moving to Rockland was at a candy shop, I was hoping for my new placement through the Traum Temp Agency to be somewhere a little more… How do I put this? Adult? Sophisticated? But I’m about to start my first day in a toy shop. Ben Traum, one of the owners of the temp agency, and the guy I’m sort of maybe dating, told me this job paid well because they were having a grand reopening now that the place was under new management. I think it’s a little strange that they waited a month before having the grand reopening. I mean, the toy shop was open that entire time. It never actually closed. But to each their own, I guess.

I need the money. After moving here on my own, all I could afford was a tiny apartment that used to be someone’s detached garage. My landlords are nice enough people, but like most landlords, they expect to be paid rent. That’s where the temp agency comes in. I’m lucky I found them, even if the rumor around town is that the agency is cursed. It’s been lovingly nicknamed the Traumatic Temp Agency. If you’re wondering why I’m still working for them after I found a dead body at my last job placement, there are two really easy answers: money and Ben.

When I pull into my parking space in the back lot of the toy store, Ben is already there, leaning against the bed of his truck, waiting for me. He tends to go above and beyond his duties at the temp agency, and as far as I can tell, he only does it for me.

I get out of the car and smile at him. Good morning. What brings you here?

His cheeks redden ever so slightly. I just wanted to see you off on your first day. His voice has a hint of nervousness, and I’m not sure if he’s nervous around me since we’re in this weird do we like each other? stage or if he’s afraid this placement will go tragically wrong like my last one did.

That’s really sweet of you, I say.

He walks me to the employee entrance at the back of the store. So, your new employer is a woman by the name of Monica Stone. She’s a little high-strung, but overall, she’s a nice enough person. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with her.

The weird part about these job placements is I don’t always meet my boss before I start working. I don’t have a clue what Monica Stone even looks like. She might be young and ambitious, or she might be on the verge of retiring. I’m about to find out. I stop at the door and turn to Ben. I appreciate you coming by to wish me luck.

No problem at all. Do you and Riley have plans for this evening?

Riley Jacobs is one of my only friends here in town. For whatever reason, she sort of took it upon herself to befriend me when we first met, which was in the candy shop where I was working at the time. She is also the woman behind the Rumor Robin gossip column in the Rockland Record, but other than her boss, Samuel Montage, I’m the only one who knows that. Everyone else thinks she’s Mr. Montage’s assistant. Her anonymity allows her to get close enough to everyone in town without them being afraid to divulge their secrets to her. Then she always has plenty to write about in her column.

Nothing as of yet. Would you like us to include you? He’s sort of become part of our almost nightly hangouts.

I’d love that. He gives me a big smile. Have a great first day, Hailey. He gently squeezes my elbow.

I walk into the toy shop, which is a really cute looking store. There are so many toys they even have displays out on the sidewalk, which is probably a really smart marketing tactic. Kids must walk by, see the toys, and practically drag their parents inside. The room I enter looks like an employee break room, but it also houses a bunch of boxes on shelving all along two of the walls. Since I don’t know where to report to, I ask the first person I see if they can point me in the direction of Monica Stone.

The girl is so young looking I question if she’s even out of high school, but she must be if she’s working here on a Friday morning. Um, try her office. She points out the door as if I couldn’t figure out the office wasn’t in the break room.

Thanks, I say.

I walk out of the break room into a small hallway. I can either enter the main store area to the left or turn right where there’s another door. That must be Monica Stone’s office. I turn right and knock on the door.

Come in, a woman calls.

I open the door. Good morning. I’m Hailey Hart. I’m looking for Ms. Stone. It’s my first day. The Traum Temp Agency sent me.

Yes, Hailey. Come in. Come in. She waves me inside but doesn’t get up from her desk. She’s an attractive woman in her late thirties, although her dark curly hair is a bit unruly. It almost looks like she might have run her fingers through it in frustration one too many times. Ben did mention the woman is a bit high-strung, so it’s entirely possible that’s exactly what she did. I received all the signed paperwork from Mr. Traum, so you’re all set. I’ll have Violet show you around today. Have you met her yet?

Um, if she’s the girl with the purple tips in her hair, then yes.

That’s her. I joke that she takes her name very seriously.

I don’t point out Violet’s hair is a much darker purple than violet. It’s probably best not to correct my new boss within the first five minutes of meeting her.

Ms. Stone rifles through a few papers on her desk. So, it’s pretty easy. You’ll be assisting customers on the floor. Basically, that means you’ll help them find things and recommend toys they might be interested in. Before you leave today, we’ll give you a catalogue of all our toys so you can familiarize yourself with them.

I bob my head. Great.

If you have any questions, ask Violet. I know she’s young, but she’s a good worker. Have a great first day. She smiles at me as if that’s all there is to it.

Thank you, I say, leaving her office and shutting the door behind me. I was expecting a little more instruction, but I guess Ms. Stone is leaving that up to Violet. I go back to the employee break room to find Violet before the store officially opens for the day. This time, she’s not the only one in the break room. A young guy is with her, though I’d guess he’s slightly older than she is.

Austin, I said no. I’m not interested in you that way. No matter how many times you ask, I’m not going to change my mind and go out with you. I’m sorry, but that’s just how it is. Violet turns and almost walks right into me.

Sorry, I say. Ms. Stone told me to find you so I can start my training. I’m Hailey Hart.

She sighs. Violet Templeton. She jerks a finger over her shoulder. That’s Austin Reed. She lowers her voice. Watch out for him. He hits on anything with a pulse and doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.

I also have impeccable hearing, Austin says, walking over to us and extending his hand to me. Nice to meet you, Hailey.

I shake his hand. You too. Have you guys worked here for long?

I’ve been here for a few weeks, Austin says.

I’ve been here for about two months now, Violet says.

Wow, two months is all it takes to have seniority around here and be the one to train new employees? The turnover rate must be really high in this place.

What’s it like working here? I ask.

It doesn’t totally suck, Austin says. I’ve had worse jobs.

High praise.

Come on, Violet says to me. I’ll show you around. She holds up a finger. I almost forgot. She walks over to a locker in the corner and opens it. Inside are bright orange vests. We all have to have one of these. I’m guessing you’re probably a medium. You’re pretty tall but thin.

I’m a runner, I say, even though I haven’t run much lately. Getting involved in a murder investigation sort of interrupted my daily routine.

You mean like for fun? Her expression couldn’t convey more disgust if she tried.

Yes, and for health reasons.

I think I’d rather die than run. She hands me the vest, and I slip it on. Violet eyes me. Looks good. Well, as good as a bright orange vest can look on a person. She leads me from the break room and out into the showroom. At least that’s what she said they call it. There are toys of every kind on display. We keep a model out for each toy so kids can play with them. Monica says it helps with sales."

Oh, does she want employees to call her by her first name? I ask.

No. Just me really. Austin tried to call her Monica once, and she chewed him out over it. You have to be careful. If she wants you to call her by her first name, she’ll tell you. Until she does… Violet shakes her head.

Noted. Thanks for the tip.

Happy to help. It’s actually a relief that you’re a woman. There are too many creepy guys working here. You really want to watch out for them. They seem nice enough at first, but they’re all the same.

How many people work here? I ask. The store isn’t all that big, so I can’t imagine needing a ton of employees.

There’s Austin, who you met. Like I told you before, he’ll hit on anything with a pulse. Then there’s Tyreek. He’s not bad, but he’s still a guy if you know what I mean. Cole works in the stuffed animal department. We have one of those machines that stuffs the animals right in front of the kids, so they can feel like they’re having a part in making the plush toy they buy. Cole and Austin butt heads a lot.

So, other than Monica Stone, the only other females working here are the two of us? I ask.

You got it. That’s why I’m so happy to see you and not some other sleaze I’ll have to watch my back around. She points a finger directly at me. Don’t ever wear a skirt here.

Why would I wear a skirt to sell children’s toys? No problem there.

She nods and lowers her head. Basically, you’ll be working on the floor—that’s what we call it. I don’t mean the literal floor. I’m not an idiot or anything. It’s kind of like a showroom floor. You know the same as car dealerships have. That’s why we call it that.

I get it.

Okay, so you need to know how each toy works, which means today, you’ll basically wander around and play with the toys to see how they operate. That way you’ll be able to answer customer questions and demonstrate if need be.

Walk around and play with toys all day? And get paid for it? This might be my favorite job placement. Sounds kind of fun.

Violet laughs. Yeah, it could be a whole lot worse.

What’s your job? I ask her, noticing she has a walkie talkie on her hip.

I’m an assistant manager. I sort of oversee everyone else, but I also work the register. Monica is very particular about who touches the cash in this place.

I’ve worked registers before, but I don’t really care to do that here. Playing with the toys sounds much more fun. I still can’t get over that this eighteen-year-old girl is in charge, though.

Do you want me to start familiarizing myself with the toys? I ask.

Yes, do that. I’m about to open the doors for the day. If you need anything, just come find me. I tend to stay close to the register so I can check customers out when they’re ready.

Okay, thanks. I watch her walk toward the front door, which she unlocks using a key she has in her vest pocket.

I start making my way through the store. Most of the toys are things I’m already familiar with, so I walk right by those, just making a mental note that we carry those items in case someone asks. There are a few computerized toys that look new to me. One is some sort of mechanical spider. I’m not sure what it’s supposed to do, so I sit down on the floor and pick it up, but as soon as I do, all eight of its legs wrap around my hand.

Careful there.

I twist my head to look over my shoulder at whoever just spoke.

I’m Cole. You must be the new girl.

Hailey, I say. Any clue how I get this thing to let go?

Cole laughs and bends down next to me. There’s a release switch on the back here. He presses the button, and the legs release my hand.

I quickly put the toy back down on the floor. Thanks. What’s the purpose of a toy that squeezes your hand? I ask.

They’re called spider cuffs. There’s this new super hero who has pet spiders who cuff criminals after he catches them.

That’s…weird.

It is.

So, that’s literally all the toy does? I ask.

Well, sort of. I mean you can toss the spider at an object, and it will latch onto whatever it touches.

What if a kid throws it at a wall? I ask.

Give it a shot, Cole says, motioning to the toy.

How do you pick it up without it gripping your hand? I’m not about to repeat the experience.

Grab it by the abdomen.

Where exactly is that located? I’ve never studied the anatomy of a spider before.

It’s the big back end.

You mean its butt? You fling it by its butt? Who invented this thing? I’m thinking it was probably the five-year-old boy of some toy guru.

I know it sounds weird, but consider the people who buy it. They’re little boys who think butts are hysterical.

I guess I should never go into product development or marketing, I say.

Since I haven’t made a move, Cole picks up the spider and flings it at a wall. The mechanical insect grips the wall and begins crawling down it. Pretty cool, right?

I guess. I wouldn’t have thought it could grip a solid surface, so I’ll give the toy that much.

He